Automatic video recording alignment

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for dynamic video recording alignment are provided. A video alignment system receives a first signal indicating that an interaction device comprising a screen is in use. Responsive to the first signal, the system instructs the interaction device to record a series of images displayed on the screen. The system detects flicker in a video recording generated by a camera and depicting the screen, where the video recording comprises one or more defective frames contributing to the flicker. Upon detecting the flicker, the system retrieves one or more images, from the series of images, where the one or more images are recorded by the interaction device at moments of corresponding to the flicker. The system superimposes the one or more images onto the one or more defective frames in the video recording.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 receiving a first signal indicating that an interaction device comprising a screen is in use;   responsive to the first signal, instructing the interaction device to record a series of images displayed on the screen;   detecting flicker in a video recording generated by a camera and depicting the screen, wherein the video recording comprises one or more defective frames contributing to the flicker;   upon detecting the flicker, retrieving one or more images, from the series of images, wherein the one or more images are recorded by the interaction device at moments of corresponding to the flicker; and   superimposing the one or more images onto the one or more defective frames in the video recording.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the flicker results in the one or more images displayed on the screen not visible in the video recording. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the flicker is caused by a discrepancy between a refresh rate of the screen and a frame rate of the camera. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a second signal indicating an end of use of the interaction device; and   responsive to the second signal, instructing the interaction device to stop recording the series of images displayed on the screen.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the interaction device comprises at least one of a self-checkout station or an interactive kiosk. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a refresh rate of the screen from the interaction device;   receiving a frame rate from the camera;   comparing the refresh rate and the frame rate within a defined time interval; and   upon detecting that the refresh rate is different from the frame rate, initiating a flicker examination on the video recording received from the camera.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second signals are generated based on motion detection by the camera. 
     
     
         8 . A system, comprising:
 one or more processors;   one or more memories storing a program, which, when executed on any combination of the one or more processors, performs operations, the operations comprising:
 receiving a first signal indicating that an interaction device comprising a screen is in use; 
 responsive to the first signal, instructing the interaction device to record a series of images displayed on the screen; 
 detecting flicker in a video recording generated by a camera and depicting the screen, wherein the video recording comprises one or more defective frames contributing to the flicker; 
 upon detecting the flicker, retrieving one or more images, from the series of images, wherein the one or more images are recorded by the interaction device at moments of corresponding to the flicker; and 
 superimposing the one or more images onto the one or more defective frames in the video recording. 
   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the flicker results in the one or more images displayed on the screen not visible in the video recording. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the flicker is caused by a discrepancy between a refresh rate of the screen and a frame rate of the camera. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the program, which, when executed on any combination of the one or more processors, performs the operations further comprising:
 receiving a second signal indicating an end of use of the interaction device; and   responsive to the second signal, instructing the interaction device to stop recording the series of images displayed on the screen.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the interaction device comprises at least one of a self-checkout station or an interactive kiosk. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the program, which, when executed on any combination of the one or more processors, performs the operations further comprising:
 receiving a refresh rate of the screen from the interaction device;   receiving a frame rate from the camera;   comparing the refresh rate and the frame rate within a defined time interval; and   upon detecting that the refresh rate is different from the frame rate, initiating a flicker examination on the video recording received from the camera.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second signals are generated based on motion detection by the camera. 
     
     
         15 . One or more non-transitory computer-readable media containing, in any combination, computer program code that, when executed by operation of a computer system, performs operations comprising:
 receiving a first signal indicating that an interaction device comprising a screen is in use;   responsive to the first signal, instructing the interaction device to record a series of images displayed on the screen;   detecting flicker in a video recording generated by a camera and depicting the screen, wherein the video recording comprises one or more defective frames contributing to the flicker;   upon detecting the flicker, retrieving one or more images, from the series of images, wherein the one or more images are recorded by the interaction device at moments of corresponding to the flicker; and   superimposing the one or more images onto the one or more defective frames in the video recording.   
     
     
         16 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of  claim 15 , wherein the flicker results in the one or more images displayed on the screen not visible in the video recording. 
     
     
         17 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of  claim 15 , wherein the flicker is caused by a discrepancy between a refresh rate of the screen and a frame rate of the camera. 
     
     
         18 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of  claim 15 , wherein the computer program code that, when executed by operation of a computer system, performs the operations further comprising:
 receiving a second signal indicating an end of use of the interaction device; and   responsive to the second signal, instructing the interaction device to stop recording the series of images displayed on the screen.   
     
     
         19 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of  claim 15 , wherein the interaction device comprises at least one of a self-checkout station or an interactive kiosk. 
     
     
         20 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of  claim 18 , wherein the first and second signals are generated based on motion detection by the camera.